This year, for the first time, we hosted a Scholarship Experience at Licensing Expo in Las Vegas for recipients of the Licensing International Foundation’s Scholarship Program. This experience was created to inspire scholarship recipients, offering them immersive educational sessions, one-of-a-kind networking opportunities, and invaluable mentorship from leaders in the global brand licensing community as part of our mission to support the next generation of licensing leaders.

Laura Fekete, Student at Boston College
Coming into the Scholarship Experience, I was most looking forward to learning more about the licensing industry, meeting new people, and hearing how everyone got into the industry. I was surprised to see how many people from all kinds of backgrounds work in the industry and hearing about their journeys was really inspiring and interesting.

I loved talking to people from different companies like Paramount, Warner Bros., Netflix, and Scopely as they gave me new ideas and directions to explore for building a career in the industry. I also loved the showcases the booth tours, shop tours, and the Fortnite breakfast—they all made me feel welcomed and showed how friendly the community is. This experience opened my eyes to how many different areas licensing touches and showed be that there is no limit to the creative ideas in this industry. It felt like a glimpse into what I hope my future career will be.

Andreaz Glasgow, External Consultant at Bacardi International Limited
This was my first Licensing Expo, and I was really looking forward to meeting other young professionals who share a similar passion for licensing, especially those interested in food and beverage licensing. I was surprised by just how vast and fast-paced the licensing industry is. There are so many niches, nuances, and hidden opportunities—there is truly something for everyone.

The John Wick experience was by far the most memorable moment for me during the Scholarship Experience. It was immersive, unique, and the first thing that comes to mind when I think back on the week. I would’ve done it again in a heartbeat. Along with those memories, something I’ll take away from my time at Licensing Expo are the connections and relationships built throughout the event. It truly felt like a family reunion, and I’m already looking forward to the next one.

Ashley Patterson, Student at The University of Maryland
This was my first Licensing Expo. I have known about the event for years—always seeing pictures of my dad with characters and knowing he traveled to Las Vegas each year—but I never knew what the event was truly about. Through the Scholarship Experience, I finally got to see it for myself.

I was surprised by the range of opportunities within the licensing industry for financial professionals. As a finance major, I have been directed towards traditional career paths, from financial advising to investment banking. While I knew every company has financial professionals, I did not understand the niche field of finance within licensing. I learned about projecting the financial success of potential licensing opportunities, confirming minimum guarantees and royalties that benefit both parties, and auditing to ensure the agreements are properly followed. Learning about licensing through a finance lens opened my eyes to this aspect of the industry.

Pablo Ruiz Crespo, Student at Alabama A&M University
I wanted to deepen my understanding of licensing models beyond entertainment—particularly in sports and interactive gaming—and observe how each category structures its programs.

The community’s cohesion impressed me—despite representing diverse product categories, most professionals seemed connected through prior deals or collaborations. I will always remember the impromptu mentoring conversations where licensing executives shared their career path, how they got into the licensing world, offered constructive guidance, and shared personal success stories. Their willingness to connect with us, combined with the Expo’s vibrant atmosphere, solidified my commitment to pursuing a career in licensing.

Matt Stein, Student at Point Loma Nazarene University
The Paramount booth tour with Amanda Muller was definitely a highlight. Hearing firsthand how Paramount is leveraging partnerships across such a wide variety of categories, especially gaming, made the possibilities in entertainment licensing feel very real and exciting. It was a great blend of visionary creativity and strategic thinking that is hard to find in most industries.

And I’ll always remember the mentorship breakfast hosted by Veronica Hart. Sitting down with industry leaders in such an open and inspiring setting reminded me why I came to appreciate this industry. Everyone in the field is extremely supportive, and this breakfast especially reminded me of that. It was a moment that turned professional aspiration into real connection—something I truly won’t forget.

Alex Wang, Student at Western University
I was most excited to meet the diverse range of talented licensing professionals that Licensing International organized for us to connect with. It was fascinating to hear their firsthand experiences at major companies like Netflix and Paramount, and to learn how they approach the business from retail, gaming, and entertainment perspectives.

Although all of the activities were equally amazing, one standout moment was attending the annual Young Professionals Network (YPN) event. Licensing has a strong, long-standing community, which can feel a bit intimidating to newcomers. The YPN event created a welcoming space to meet others who are also early in their careers, making it much easier to connect and feel a part of the industry.